FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Converge Media, parent organization of Converge Radio 101.9FM welcomes its new Executive Director and announces new programming.

Today is Giving Tuesday, a worldwide day of giving to non-profit organizations. Converge Radio 101.9FM kicks off its annual month of fundraising on this Giving Tuesday to help keep Converge Media strong for 2025 and beyond.

EAU CLAIRE, WISCONSIN – December 3, 2024 – Converge Media, parent organization of Converge Radio 101.9FM announces the appointment of Julie Pangallo as Executive Director and its elected Board of Directors officers – Karen Wells Verlander, President; Dan Gustafson, Vice President; Ron Viste; Secretary-Treasurer.

Julie Pangallo brings a breadth of experience to Converge Media as a project leader and tastemaker in the Chippewa Valley community – with over 20 years in advertising sales, working in the media sector for television, radio and digital platforms, and as an Executive Director for various non-profit organizations. Since 2014, Julie Pangallo spearheads the celebrated Sculpture Tour as the Public Arts Manager for the Visit Eau Claire organization.

Converge Media believes the pairing of passionate knowledge with Julie Pangallo, and the diverse Converge Radio 101.9FM team, as well as the board of directors, will empower Converge Media to pursue its purpose to enhance and amplify the rich arts culture of the Chippewa Valley. As Pangallo states, “I started in radio back when stations were independently owned and licensed to serve for the public good. The independent voice of Converge Radio 101.9FM, and the passion of those involved is really exciting to me. We are truly a community media group, bringing people together around the arts.”

Tuesday, December 3, 2024 is Giving Tuesday, a worldwide day of giving to non-profit organizations. Converge Radio 101.9FM kicks off its annual month of fundraising on this Giving Tuesday to help keep Converge Media strong for 2025 and beyond. Converge Media and Converge Radio 101.9FM is a grassroots effort, when everyone gives a little, our music community thrives.

In 2023, Converge Radio 101.9FM and Valley Media Works announced the merging of their operations and board, creating a community-focused source for broadcast radio and television in the Chippewa Valley. The newly formed organization operates under the name Converge Media, with office locations at The Coven in downtown Eau Claire, Wisconsin.

Converge Radio 101.9FM produces quality original programming such as Farewell Transmission, This Must Be the Place, Tunes from the Womb, and Passion Pod. As well as new programs – See Saw; a modern punk broadcast, Bangers Only featuring garage rock and heavy metal. For 2025, new shows and radio hosts have been added to the lineup schedule of Converge Media and Converge Radio 101.9FM host and sponsor a variety of live music, comedy and cultural events in the region as well as broadcasting select, live musical artist performances from Blue Ox Music Festival.

“We’re excited about this new entity we’re creating,” says Station Manager, Cullen Ryan, “We are thrilled that Converge Radio 101.9FM has the opportunity to showcase immense talent of local, regional, national and international artists in its programming. As well as hosting live performances in the many great venues in Eau Claire and the Chippewa Valley. And that's the whole point of art – to bring people together.”

Valley Media Works, now called Converge Media – streams content online and broadcasts on Spectrum Communications Cable Television on channels 993 and 994. In 2020, Converge Radio began transmitting on WRFP 101.9FM, after their departure from 99.9FM and becoming an independent radio station. That marked the first collaboration between the two operations, which ultimately led to the idea that a deeper partnership could be forged.

Converge Media Board of Directors is comprised of a unique and diverse group of professional members, who are currently working on community engagement, partnerships, and fundraising through grants, sponsorships, and community donations. These efforts are empowering Converge Media to pursue its purpose: to build and amplify community through celebration, collaboration, and cultivation.

Giving Tuesday kicks off the beginning of Converge Media and Converge Radio 101.9FM’s annual month dedicated to community reach out, membership programs and fundraising efforts. Help keep Converge Media strong for 2025 and beyond.

Thank you for supporting Converge Media’s mission to unite our communities around music, news and culture.

Converge Media and Converge Radio 101.9FM is a non-profit and relies on listener contributions to pay for programming costs, streaming expenses, knowledgeable hosts and exclusive interviews and video content.

For more information, please go to www.convergemediaec.com

For information on how to support Converge Media: Contact Julie Pangallo, Executive Director at julie@convergeradio.org – 715.450.0399 or go to www.convergemediaec.com/donate.

Media Contact: Karen Wells Verlander, Executive Board Member karen.wellsverlander@mac.com